Voting booth



l. S. DRAPER June 9, 193.1.

VOTING BOOTH Filed Nov. 18. 1 29 3 Sheets-Sheet l awwwto'z .Zsaac 6. Zra w" wi tueoo l. S. DRAPER VOTING BOOTH June 9, 1931.

Filed Nov. 18, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mv f awwe/wtoz m Momma fiaac Q5. Zrgper I. 5. DRAPER June 9, 1931.

VOTING BOOTH Filed Nbv. 18, 1929 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 9, 1931 UN IT ED STATES. F p

ISAAC S. DRAPER, 0F sULLlIfAN INDIANAi VOTING BOOTH Application filed November 18; 1929. Serial- No. 498,018.-

The invention relates to voting booths of the type embodying a frame structure and curtains hung therefrom, defining individual booths, each of which is commonly equipped with a shelf for the convenience of thevoter in supporting ballots, pens, pencils, etc.

One aim of the invention is toprovide a new and improvedfoldable frame structure which may well be constructed entirely. from metal.

Afurther objectis to provide novel means for connecting corner posts ofthe framezwith each other in such a way'that they will'normally'be effectively braced, yet may betmoved into compact relation with each other when the frame-is to be stored,

Another object is to provide novel means for spacing two booth-forming frame portions apart to provide an additional booth between them Yet another aim is the provisionof new and improved supporting means for the shelves.

A still further object is to provide novel and advantageous means for supporting the curtains upon the frame.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in .the novel :subj ect matter hereinafter described'and claimed, description being accomplishedzby reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. l is a perspective view-With one of the front curtains removed.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of thesframe structure, partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged disassembled perspective view of portions of the means'whiclr con? nect two spaced booth-forming frame portions apart to provide for an additional booth between them.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional perspective view viewed from the rear and morefully illustrating the shelf-supporting means.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective viewed from the rear showing the way of attaching the curtains and illustrating also another portion of the means for connecting the spaced booth-forming portions with each other to provide for the additional intervening booth;.

Fig; dis a; perspective view partly broken away and in section illustrating the preferred manner of providing the curtains-with sup.- porting loops;

The drawings abcvebriefl-y. described,-.illustrate thepreferred form of construction, and'whilesuch construction will be herein specifically explained, it is to beu-nderstood that within the scope of; the invention as claimed, variations may bemade.

Tworframe portions A and B are shown, of a size to provide two voting booths,-. and means Sand S upper rear and upper front portions of said frame portions A. and B, to provide'for an additional Ebo-oth' .-between them, The booths A and Bare duplicates-With minorivariation-s due to th'efactthatone is used at the right and the other at the leftend of the-series-of booths, and a description of oneof these frame portions will therefore suffice, with thereference characters applied to both, and such a description will now follow;

The numerals 8 denote two rear corner posts and 9 has reference to two front corner posts, allof these" posts being preferably formed; fromanglemetal. Two crossed braces-1O connect the rear posts'8 with each other, and two additional pairs of crossed braces 10 andlO? connect the rear posts 8 with the front posts 9. The upper ends of all of the braces 1010 ---1O- are pivoted (preferablypermanently) to the corner posts, near the uppervends ofthe latter. Allof these pivots except oneare denoted at 11, and said one pi'votis given thereference character 11. for: fi'itu-re reference Clamping; bolts 12 are provided for detachably securing. the lower endsof the links-l01010 to the adjacent posts-8 and 9, and said lower ends of said braces are formed with downwardly opening notches 13, one of thesenotches being shown inFig; Qand another on a larger scalein Fig. 4. Anotherclampingbolt 1 passes through slots;15 in the crossed portions of the braces 10, an additional clamping bolt 14 passes through slots-15-- in the crossed portions of the-braces 10 and yet another clamping. bolt lt fextendsv through slots 15. in the crossed portions ofithe braces. 10.

are" provided for connecting. the 1 When the frame is set up for use as shown, tlghtenlng of the wing nuts on the clamping bolts 12, 14, 14 and 14", insures rigid spacing said bolts 12.

of the posts 8 and 9 and rigid connection of the various braces with said posts. Not only do the bolts 12 serve to hold the braces so that their notches 13 are in engagement with the bolts 12, but the bolts 1e, 14: and 14 clamp the links 10, 10 and 10 against relative movement, so that the lower ends of these links are doubly secured against disengagement from Upon release of all of the clamping bolts 12, let, 14: and 149, the braces 10, 10 and 10 may move in the required manner to disengage their notches 13 from the bolts 12, thereby allowing the posts and braces to move into compact relation with each other for storage.

Pivotally hung from the bolts 14 and 1 9 respectively, are two vertical links 1616". The front ends of shelf-supporting links 171'(- are pivot-ed at 18 and 18 respectively, to thelower ends of the links 16 and 16 and the rear ends of saidshelf-supporting links 1717", rest in the acute angles between the rear posts 8 and the rear braces 10,'the lower edges of said shelfsupporting links being formed with notches 19 and 19 respectively, which engage the braces 10 and hold said links against forward or rearward shifting.

An additional vertical link 16 is pivotally hung from the clamping bolt l i of the frame portion A (14: of the frame portion B) Pivoted to the lower end of this link 16, is a shelf-supporting link 17 whose rear end s provided with a return bend 1'7 This return bend passes around the adjacent rear post 8 and with the link 17 b of the frame portion A (17 of the frame portion 13) res'. s in the acute angle between said post and the lower end of the connected brace 10, said return bend preferably having anotch'19 (Fig. 4) to engage said brace 10, holding the link 17 against forward or rearward shifing.

The upper ends of the front posts9 are connected with each other by two links 20 which are pivoted thereto near the upper ends of said posts, the inner ends of said links being normally clamped together by a bolt 21.

The links 17 and 17 support a shelf which may well consist of two sections 22 (Fig. 1), said sections resting upon said links and being flanged to engage the remote sides thereof. A similar shelf (not shown) is supported by the two links 17, one of these links and its supporting means being disposed at the right hand side of the frame portion A, whereas the other of said links and the supporting means therefor, are at the left side of the frame portion B, this being the principal distinction between the two frame portions A and B. i

The connecting or spacing means S between the upper rear portions of the frame portions A and B, preferably consist only of a straight link pivoted to the inner rear leg 8 of one of said frame portions and having a notch 23 in its lower edge engaging the clamping bolt 11' of the other of said frame portions. When the frame structure is to embody only three booths as herein shown, there need be only one bolt 11 in the entire structure, as the only reason for using a clamping bolt instead of a rivet or other pivot such as 11, is to secure the notched end of the link S.

The connecting means S bet-ween the upper fronts of the frame portions A and B, embodies a one-piece horizontal link 24 pivoted to the front post 9 of one of said frame portions and at its other end having a notch 26 (Fig. 3) engaging a clamping bolt 27 on the other of said frame portions, near the upper end of the inner post 9 of the latter. Two inclined bracing links 28 are also embodied in the connecting or spacing means S, the lower ends of these links being pivoted to the legs 9 with which the link 24; is connected, while the upper ends of said braces 28 are formed with downwardly opening notches 29 (Fig. 3) which engage a clamping bolt 30 at the center of said link 24.

By constructing the means S and S as above described, they effectively hold the frame portions A and B in the desired spaced relation, yet upon loosening of the nuts on the bolts 11', 27 and 30, the various parts S, 2 1 and 28 may be swung to inoperative, out-ofthe-way positions, thereby disconnecting the frame portions A and B and allowing these frame portions to be individually folded or collapsed into compact form for storage.

' A single curtain 31 forms the back wall and the two extreme end walls of the group of booths, individual partition walls or ourtains 32 are provided, and a front curtain 33 is provided for each booth. The partition walls or curtains 32 are stitched at 34 (Fig. 4) to the back wall but are free of connection with the front curtains 33. All of the curtains are supported at their upper ends by loops 35 which are hooked over the upper extreniities of the posts 8 and 9. The lower portions of all of the curtains except those at the front may be fastened to the posts 8 and 9 by appropriate quick-releasable fasteners 36. Each partition curtain 32 is formed with a slot 37 through which the link 16' passes, and the slotted portion of said curtain is preferably reinforced by an appropriate patch 38 (see Figs. 1 and 4).

The upper end of each curtain is provided with a hem 39, this character and those immediately following, being applied only to Fig. 6. Each loop 35 for the curtain is formed of a single length of wire with its ends twisted or otherwise secured together at l0. The wire ends enter the hem 39 at {l1 and the connection 40 is housed withinthis hem, the latter therefore providing protection against scratching the hands, tearing apparel, etc.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a rather inexpensive and a very desirable construction has been provided, which construction may be quickly and easily set up for use, folded when not in use, and stored in small space.

The various details herein disclosed are preferably followed. However, attention is again invited to the fact that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I claim 1. A voting booth frame comprising four corner posts, a pair of crossed braces connecting the two rear posts with each other, two pairs of crossed braces connecting said rear posts with the front posts respectively, clamping bolts passing through the crossing points of the three pairs of braces respectively, a pivot for one end of each brace connecting it to the adjacent post, the other end of each brace being provided with a lateral notch, and post-carried clamping bolts passing through said notches, the crossed portions of said braces having slots through which the first named clamping bolts pass, whereby upon loosening of these bolts and the notch-received bolts, the notched ends of the braces may be disconnected from the posts, allowing movement of said posts and braces into com pact relation with each other, tightening of all of said clamping bolts serving to doubly secure the notched ends of the braces against disconnection from their respective bolts.

2. In a voting booth frame, two corner posts, two crossed braces extending between said posts, a clamping bolt passing through said braces at their crossing point, a pivot connecting one end of each brace with the adjacent post, the other end of each brace having a lateral notch, and post-carried clamping bolts passing through said notches, the crossed portions of said braces having slots through which the first named clamping bolt passes, whereby upon loosening of this bolt and the notch-received bolts, the notched ends of the braces may be disconnected from the posts, allowing movement of said posts and braces into compact relation with each other, tightening of all of said bolts serving to doubly secure the notched ends of the braces against disconnection from their respective bolts.

3. In a voting booth frame, four corner posts, two rear crossed braces connecting the two rear posts with each other, two additional pairs of crossed braces connecting said rear posts with the two front posts respectively, two vertical links pivoted at their upper ends to the crossing points of said additional pairs of crossed braces respectively, and two hori- Zontal shelf-supporting links whose front ends are pivoted to the lower ends of said vertical links, the rear ends of said shelf-supporting links resting in the acute angles between said rear posts and said rear braces.

4. In a voting booth frame, four corner posts, two rear crossed braces connecting the two rear'posts with each other, two additional pairs of crossed braces connecting said rear posts with the two front posts respectively, two vertical links pivoted at their up per ends to the crossing points of said additional pairs of crossed braces respectively, two horizontal shelf-supporting links pivoted at their front ends to the lower ends of said vertical links, the rear ends of said shelfsupporting links resting in the acute angles between said rear posts and said rear-braces, an additional vertical link pivoted at its upper end to'the crossing point of one of said additional pairs of braces and disposed at the outer side thereof, and an additional horizontal shelf-supporting link whose front end is pivoted to the'lower end of said additional vertical link, the rear end of said additional shelf-supporting link having a return bend which passes around the adjacent rear post and rests in: one of the aforesaid acute angles.

5.. A structure as specified in claim 4; the rear ends of all of said shelf-supporting links havingnotches to engage the sub jacent brac ing links.

6; In a voting booth frame, a rear corner post, a rear brace connected to and inclining from said rear post, a shelf support, and means forsupporting the front end of said shelf-support, the rear end of said shelf support resting in the acute angle between said post and brace.

7. In a votingbooth frame, a rear corner post, a rear brace connected to and inclining from said rear post, a shelf-support, and means fonsu-pporting the front end of said shelf-support, the rear end of said shelfsupportrresting in the acute angle between said post'and brace and having a notch engaging one thereof.

8. In a voting booth frame, a rear corner post, a rear brace connected to and inclining from said rear' post, a shelf-support, and means for supporting the front end of said shelf-supp'ort,- the rear end of said shelfsupport having a return bend passing around said post and resting in the acute angle between said post'and brace.

9. In a voting booth frame, a rear corner post, a rear brace connected to and inclining from said rear post, a shelf-support, and means for supporting the front end of said shelf-support, the rear end of said shelfsupport having a return bend passing around said post and "resting in the acute angle be tween said post and brace, said return bend having a notch receiving a portion of one of the two last named parts.

10. In a voting booth frame, a rear and a front corner post, connecting means be= tween said posts, a rear brace connected to said rear post and inclining therefrom, a vertical link pivotally hung from said connecting means, and a horizontal shelf-supporting link pivoted at its front end to the lower end of said vertical link, the rear end of said shelf-supporting link resting in the acute angle between said rear post and said rear brace.

11. In a voting booth frame, a rear and a front corner post, connecting means between said posts, a rear brace connected to said rear post and inclining therefrom, a vertical link pivotally hung from said connecting means, and a horizontal shelf-supporting link pivoted at its front end tothe lower end of said vertical link, the rear end of said shelf-supporting link resting in the acute angle between said rear post and said rear brace and having a notch engaging the latter.

12. In a voting booth frame, a rear and a front corner post,connecting means between said posts, a rear brace connected to said rear post and inclining therefrom, a vertical link pivotally hung from said connecting means, and a horizontal shelf-supporting link pivoted at its front end to the lower endof said vertical link, the rear end of said shelf-supporting link having a return bend passing around said rear post and resting in the acute angle between said rear post and said rear brace.

13. In a voting booth frame, a rear and a front corner post, connecting means between said posts, a rear brace connected to said rear post and inclining therefrom, a vertical link pivotally hung from said connecting means, and a horizontal shelf-supporting link pivoted at its front end to the lower end. of said vertical link, the rear end of said shelf-supporting link having a return bend passing around said rear post and resting in the acute angle between said rear post and said rear brace, said return bend having a notch engaging said brace.

14. In a voting booth frame, two corner posts, a one-piece horizontal link pivoted at one of its ends to one of said posts, the other end of said link having a downwardly opening notch, a clamping bolt carried by the i other post and received in said notch, a secend clamping bolt carried by the center of said link, and two inclined converging braces pivoted at their outer ends to said posts at points spaced vertically from said link, said braces having downwardly opening notches in their inner ends receiving said second clamping bolt.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

ISAAC s. DRAPER. 

